[For Intermediate Players] Challenge Yourself! Recommended Masterpieces That Shine at Piano Recitals
A recital you perform in after you’ve been playing piano for a good while.
Based on having participated a few times already, this may be the time when ideals for your recital piece start to take shape—like “I want to play that piece I heard last year!” or “I’ve played a lot of slow, relaxed pieces so far, but I want to try something up-tempo!”
In this article, we’ll introduce piano pieces that really shine on stage and are perfect for players who have cleared the beginner level and are moving into the intermediate range.
We hope this helps you choose your next recital piece as you compare options with your own ideals in mind.
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- Beginner to Intermediate: Chopin pieces with relatively low difficulty. Recommended works by Chopin.
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- [Piano Recital] Recommended for Middle Schoolers! A Comprehensive Introduction to Classical Masterpieces
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[For Intermediate Players] Challenge! Recommended Masterpieces That Sound Impressive at Piano Recitals (Nos. 51–60)
Sicilienne, Op. 78Gabriel Fauré
A short and graceful piece composed in 1893 by Gabriel Fauré, one of France’s foremost composers.
Originally written as orchestral music for the theater, it was later arranged for cello and piano.
Based on the dance form known as the siciliana, the work is characterized by a gentle, flowing, and beautiful melody.
By cherishing its elegant atmosphere and being mindful of the moments of silence, performers can achieve an interpretation that combines stage-worthy delicacy with profound emotional depth.
Humoresques, Op. 101 No. 7Antonin Dvořák
Antonín Dvořák’s masterpiece, “Eight Humoresques,” is notable for its gentle, relaxed melodies.
This time, I’d like to introduce No.
7 from the set, “Eight Humoresques, Op.
101.” The key points of this piece are the score reading and the modulation section.
As for reading the score, it presents quite a challenge for beginners.
And then there’s the modulation: octaves appear suddenly, so be sure to warm up your fingers well before tackling it.
Lyric Pieces, Book VIII, Op. 65: No. 6, Wedding Day at TroldhaugenEdvard Grieg
Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, included in the eighth book of Lyric Pieces—a collection of piano works that Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg wrote over more than 30 years.
Troldhaugen is the name of the place where Grieg and his wife Nina lived, and this piece is dedicated to Nina.
The various themes in the piece differ completely in both tempo and character, making it ideal for developing expressive skills.
If you imagine specific scenes in your own way as you play, you’ll be able to perform with greater emotional richness.
Prelude in G minor, Op. 23 No. 5Sergei Rakhmaninov
One of the pieces from Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Ten Preludes, published in 1903.
Composed in 1901, this piece is also affectionately known as the “Prelude-March.” Rich with Russian national sentiment, it begins at a march-like tempo and gradually grows more heroic.
The middle section features Rachmaninoff’s characteristically romantic melody.
Technically, it includes large chords, wide-ranging arpeggios, and rapid repeated octaves, making it a challenging work for pianists with smaller hands.
[For Intermediate Players] Challenge! Recommended Masterpieces That Shine at Piano Recitals (61–70)
Impromptu FP 176 No. 15 in C minor “In Praise of Édith Piaf”Francis Poulenc
Francis Poulenc’s masterpiece, Impromptu FP 176 No.
15 in C minor “Hommage à Édith Piaf.” Édith Piaf, the quintessential French chanson singer.
This piece embodies Poulenc’s deep respect for the beloved Piaf.
In terms of difficulty, it’s somewhere between D and E on the PianoVerse scale.
The way you execute the grace notes will greatly affect the overall result, so it’s best to practice with particular attention to them.
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56Bartók Béla
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz.
56, a suite of piano miniatures and one of Béla Bartók’s signature works, was composed by the Hungarian-born composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist.
He later arranged it himself for small orchestra, and both versions are frequently programmed at concerts and recitals.
The piece is based on folk songs from the Kingdom of Hungary—which once governed the region centered on present-day Hungary—giving it a strongly folkloric character.
It’s an ideal choice for those who want to perform something with a different atmosphere from their usual practice repertoire or standard pieces at a recital.
Six Pieces, Op. 51: No. 6, “Valse Sentimentale”Pyotr Tchaikovsky
The sixth piece from Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Six Pieces, Op.
51, a set of six piano miniatures.
True to its title, “Valse Sentimentale,” it features a poignant, bittersweet melody.
It begins at a relaxed tempo, with a more cheerful passage appearing in the middle section.
This piece demands expressive, nuanced playing.
Practice the left-hand leaps carefully so you can firmly grasp the chords.
Rich with Tchaikovsky’s delicate emotional expression throughout, it’s a masterpiece that would be wonderful to present on a recital stage.